Judge declares mistrial in 'Thunder' shooting case

The Associated Press

Posted:
07/09/2014 02:25:52 PM MDT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A judge declared a mistrial Wednesday in the case of a Las Vegas man accused of firing a gun backstage and trying to steal costumes and props from the "Thunder From Down Under" male revue.

Clark County District Court spokeswoman Mary Ann Price said jurors had reportedly been discussing the strength of the evidence among themselves before deliberations, which is against the rules. The decision came on the second day of testimony.

A July 17 hearing was scheduled to discuss a possible new trial date for defendant Joey Kadmiri, 24.

Kadmiri is accused of firing a shot with a .44-caliber handgun during a March 18 struggle with several well-muscled cast members who found him backstage trying to steal their belongings.

One cast member wrestled Kadmiri's wrist away, and the bullet narrowly missed the face of another dancer before lodging in a wall at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino with an Italian restaurant full of diners on the other side, Deputy Clark County District Attorney Nick Portz said Tuesday.

One cast member suffered gunpowder burns on side of his face and still has eye and ear damage, Portz said. Another received lesser injuries, he said.

"These men don't miss the gym all that much, and it still took six men to hold him," Portz said.

Kadmiri had to be restrained after declaring that he was on methamphetamine and repeatedly hitting his own head on the floor of the outdoor patio during the struggle, prosecutors said.

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Defense attorney Joshua Tomsheck has said Kadmiri had drug and mental health issues.

Kadmiri pleaded not guilty to the counts against him, which include burglary, robbery, battery and weapon charges that could get him decades in prison.